334122017-09-163D Imaging Cubesat Lidar for Asteroid and Planetary Sciences, Phase ICompletedJun 2015Dec 2015NASA is actively pursuing guidance and control light detection and ranging (lidar) systems for upcoming exploration missions including asteroid, comet, planet, and planetary moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Fibertek proposes to develop a scanning 3D imaging photon-counting cubesat lidar capable of topology and rendezvous over ranges from 1 to >100 km range at a fraction of the power, mass, and cost of the Mercury Laser Altimeter. 2U cubesat subsystem that exceeds all topic S1:01 performance requirements. The lidar provides unprecedented range (>100 km), range resolution, (~ 15cm) and 10 degree scanning angle in an ultra low size (10x10x20cm), mass (4kg) and power (14.3W) in a 2U size suitable for Cubesat, Small Sal or Orion sized vehicle. The lidar can support Proximity Operations & Formation Flying in the future with minor hardware changes, software updates. Optical satellite to satellite communications can be added to the lidar in the future under Phase IIE or Phase III support.Potential NASA Commercial Applications: ?XThe core lidar technology developed has applications to numerous NASA and DoD instrument needs. Because the lidar uses readily available laser diodes and the diode laser can be digitally controlled unlike a solid state laser the system can be reconfigured to more than one application. The approach uses very straightforward, high-TRL component technology; does not require specialized lasers, laser scientists, or advanced focal plane technology; and can support 5- to 15-year mission lifetimes. The 2U cubesat form factor means the lidar can be incorporated into a 3U or 6U cubesat that includes the flight avionics and solar panels. The lidar's NASA applications include 3D imaging lidar for asteroids, comets and planetary bodies proving topology, ranging and mapping. Can be used for center of mass determination, obstacle and surface texture identification, rendezvous and slope determination for landing. The core lidar technology can also be adapted for measuring a column content of CO2, methane, water vapor and ice detection.33332435Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems32845.4Position, Navigation, and Timing37005.4.4Relative and Proximity Navigation32468Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems32998.1Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors38218.1.5LasersSBIR/STTRSpace Technology Mission DirectorateGoddard Space Flight CenterGSFCNASA CenterGreenbeltMDFibertek, Inc.IndustryHerndonVAVirginiaTherese GriebelCarlos TorrezMichael Albert26482Briefing ChartImage3D Imaging Cubesat Lidar for Asteroid and Planetary Sciences Briefing Chart22769https://techport.nasa.gov/file/2276938919330320Briefing Chart ImageImage3D Imaging Cubesat Lidar for Asteroid and Planetary Sciences, Phase I22031https://techport.nasa.gov/file/22031370608